OUR VIEW: ‘Vote or die’

ASUSU has power.

ASUSU has power.

ASUSU has power.

Studies show that you remember something after hearing it for the third time.

But if voting turnout is any indicator, the student body hasn’t picked up on this just yet. In 2004, only 21 percent of the student body voted for ASUSU president. In 2003, only 19 percent voted and in 2002, only 20 percent of students checked their ballots.

Last year, fewer than 3,000 students – a dismal 15 percent – voted for ASUSU president. Puff Daddy encourages people to “Vote or Die.” In its apathy, the student body has chosen death.

ASUSU has power.

Elected members are responsible for lobbying the state Legislature. They are also in charge of allocating student fees. They are in charge of your money.

They decide if the marching band gets funding, or if they need to get second jobs to pay for their expenses. They fight the battle for a fall break. They help decide if computer labs get expanded or if new lounges are created.

A member of ASUSU sits on every major committee on campus. They are the student voices administrators hear. It is in your best interest to make sure that voice represents your own.

This is not a high school election, so the effects of not voting go above and beyond just having a sub-par senior prom.

During Wednesday’s ASUSU presidential debate, Programming Vice President Laurel Evans said she knew the problem, but not the solution to low voter turnout.

There is no solution other than education. Students need to educate themselves about the candidates and vote accordingly.

Electronic ballots are only a click away on your Webmail.

ASUSU has power.